Review by Booklist Review
Though following in the footsteps of Jane Austen's Emma, Heron (Accidentally Engaged, 2021) presents a matchmaking heroine who is uniquely Indian Muslim Canadian. Set in cosmopolitan Toronto, this is the story of childhood friends Kamila Hussain and Rohan Nasser. By day, Kamila is a dedicated accountant in her father's company. By night, she is famous for her parties, volunteer work, and matchmaking skills. Bollywood Biryani nights and a Dogapalooza fundraiser for an animal shelter are what bring her joy. Rohan is a dedicated workaholic and a sharp dressing CEO at the company founded by his and Kamila's fathers. Ever since his divorce, he has been secretly in love with Kamila, but it takes her nemesis' arrival in town and closeness with Rohan to drive Kamila to finally notice him. Her emotionally abusive mother has made Kamila a desperate people-pleaser; all the frenetic busyness in her life stems from wanting to be seen and accepted. Rohan's pointed remarks finally cause her to recognize her true merit and prioritize her life. Heron's sensitive insights infuse this romance with both immense charm and emotional depth.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A vibrant depiction of the South Asian community in Ontario, Canada, and an endearing cast led by a Bollywood-loving hero and a fashionista heroine set Heron's retelling of Jane Austen's Emma apart from the pack. Family friends Kamila Hussain and Rohan Nasser have known each other most of their lives. Now that Kamila's sister, who's married to Rohan's brother, has moved away, Rohan's taken on a much larger role in helping Kamila care for her ailing father. Though Kamila delights in matchmaking for her friends, her own personal life is a whirlwind between her volunteer work, familial obligations, and career, with no room for love. The return of her longtime nemesis, Jana, only complicates her life further--especially when Jana seems to set her cap for Rohan. Through a series of revelations, Kamila comes to reevaluate her life and recognize the love that's been right in front of her all along. Heron (Accidentally Engaged) enhances the romance with an exploration of familial expectations and Kamila's conflicting desire to both fulfill and defy her father's wishes. Both Austenites and movie fans who fondly remember Clueless will be delighted. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Mar.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A matchmaker realizes her best friend has been her perfect match all along. Kamila Hussain is an accountant by trade and a people-pleaser by nature. She is a vibrant, self-confident, and fashionable woman who is at the center of a large, extended group of friends. She takes care of her elderly father, hosts weekly Bollywood watch parties, and is planning a puppy prom gala for her favorite animal shelter. Despite her outward bravado and confidence, she is plagued by self-doubt and tortured by memories of her late mother's harsh, judgmental attacks. Kamila's best friend is Rohan Nasser; in fact, he's practically family since his brother is married to her sister. He's always willing to co-host a party or help her father to a doctor's appointment. Kamila has taken it upon herself to find love matches for her friends--driven by her joy at seeing people in satisfying relationships but also fueled by a conviction that her friends would be happier if they followed her advice. She ignores her friends' hints that Rohan might be the perfect romantic partner for her; she can't imagine changing the safe, comfortable status quo she has developed with him. However, Kamila's usual sunny personality is disrupted by the return of her childhood archnemesis, Jana Suleiman. Kamila suspects something might be going on between Rohan and Jana, and she can no longer ignore that her feelings for Rohan are rooted more in romance than friendship. Although Heron's novel contains a complete romantic arc, the primary focus is on Kamila's journey. Although Kamila is a successful adult, many of the dilemmas and difficulties she tries to overcome date to her teenage years, which lends the novel a coming-of-age feel. A sweet, slow-burn story about a woman who finds herself before finding love. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
